Role of convective parameterization in simulations of heavy precipitation systems at grey-zone resolutions — case studies

Abstract

We have investigated the role of convective parameterization in simulations of heavy precipitation systems at grey-zone (2–10 km) resolutions using an approach similar to that used in “observing system simulation experiment”. Simulations with a 1-km grid serve as benchmark simulations. The impacts of convective parameterization at greyzone resolutions (i.e., 3, 6, and 9 km) are then investigated. This study considers two heavy precipitation systems including one associated with a mesoscale cyclone generated over the Shandong Peninsula on 24–25 July 1991, and the other associated with a cloud cluster occurred on 15–16 July 2009. The present study indicates that convective parameterization does not affect much the simulations of the two heavy precipitation systems with 3-km grid size. However, it significantly affects simulations for grid sizes of 6 and 9 km. Simulations with the Kain-Fritsch scheme produce deficiencies such as relatively small heavy rainfall area, smaller maximum precipitation rate, wider area of weak precipitation, etc. Simulations without convective parameterization have also some negative effects such as the overprediction of area-averaged precipitation rate and others. A modified trigger function in the Kain-Fritsch scheme is found to improve the simulations of the heavy precipitation systems over the Korean Peninsula by reducing excessive trigger of convection, especially for simulations with 6- and 9- km grids.